Cambrian Welfare RFC has confirmed it will leave its Bush Hotel clubhouse following recent developments regarding the future of the building, including the landlord's stated intention to sell. The club, which took over the building in 2019 and slowly completed renovations in the following years, described the situation as "devastating" in a statement on social media.
Club's statement
"It is with absolute devastation that Cambrian Welfare RFC confirms that we will be leaving our clubhouse following recent developments regarding the future of the building, including the landlord's stated intention to sell," the club said. "This is an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking situation for everyone connected with our club. Our clubhouse has been at the heart of Cambrian Welfare RFC and our community for many years, providing a home for our senior players, Mini & Junior section, coaches, volunteers, parents, supporters and generations of local people."
The club noted that over the last eight months, the current committee and management have worked hard to move the club forward. "The clubhouse has been operating well, we have continued to meet our commitments, and we genuinely believed we were building something positive and sustainable for the future," the statement added. "Unfortunately, circumstances surrounding the building have now resulted in us having to leave and determine a new way forward for Cambrian Welfare RFC."
Impact on staff and community
The club also confirmed it would have to let bar staff go, describing the decision as "extremely difficult." "They are much more than employees; they are part of the Cambrian family and have played a huge part in the day-to-day running of our clubhouse," it added. "We cannot thank them enough for their loyalty, hard work and dedication. This is certainly not the way we wanted things to be, and we sincerely hope this is only temporary. When the day comes that Cambrian Welfare RFC once again has a clubhouse to call home, we hope we can welcome them back where they belong."
The club emphasised that its Mini & Junior section is the future of the club. "The clubhouse gave our youngsters somewhere to belong, make friends and grow up as part of the Cambrian family. Our children deserve a future at this club, and we will do everything within our power to make sure they have one," the statement said.
Next steps
Despite the setback, the club reiterated that Cambrian Welfare RFC is not going anywhere, having already secured the use of the Cambrian NUM Club for the foreseeable future. The statement added that they will now determine their next steps. "We have worked too hard, come too far and have too many people who care deeply about this club to allow this situation to define our future," it said. "To our players, coaches, volunteers, parents, supporters, sponsors and everyone who has stood behind Cambrian Welfare - we need you now more than ever."
The club concluded: "We may be leaving our clubhouse, but the heart of Cambrian Welfare RFC has never been a building. It is the people who wear the badge, volunteer their time, support from the sidelines and bring their children through our doors every week. We will stick together. We will keep moving forward. We will fight for our children and their future. We will fight for the future of Cambrian Welfare RFC and rugby within our community. This club belongs to its people, its community and the generations still to come."
